James R. Murphy
1943-2018
Fairfax, Missouri

James Ronald (Ron) Murphy, the son of Marvin and Bascha (Cummingham) Murphy was born June 30, 1943, in Baltimore, Maryland. He attended Bellevue Mission High School, Bellevue, Nebraska.

On September 16, 1961, Ron was united in marriage to Janice Marie Whited in Bellevue. They made their home in Omaha, Nebraska, and became the parents of three children, Steven, Lauriette and Shellene.

Ron was employed by Fisher Ornamental Iron as a welder and fabricator. He created works of iron that were showcased in the Omaha Home Show. Ron also worked for Gate City Steel and then drove a bus for Metro Area Transit in Omaha. In 1985, they moved to Gentry, Missouri, where he farmed with his Dad for one year. In 1986, they moved to Tarkio, Missouri, where Ron was employed by Excel Beef, Phelps City, Missouri. In the middle 1990’s, they moved to Fairfax, Missouri, where they lived to the present time.

Ron was a former member of the Teamsters and participated in the Eagles Club, in Plattsmouth, Nebraska. He loved classic cars and owned and drove a stock car with his brother, Bill, at Sunset Speedway in Omaha and Playland Speedway in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Ron enjoyed league bowling and fishing trips with his family. He was proud of his California Native American Ancestry, belonging to the Son Joaquin Valley Yokuet Tribe. Ron was a loving grandfather who enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and watching them grow. He was a caring person who had a lot of friends but would always be willing to stop and help a stranger in need, even if that meant “giving them the shirt off his back.” Ron passed away Thursday, February 1, 2018, at his home in Fairfax, at the age of 74.

In addition to his parents, Ron was preceded in death by brothers, Bill and Allan Murphy. Survivors include wife, Janice Murphy, Fairfax; son, Steven Murphy and wife, Michaelle, Milton, Missouri; daughters, Lauriette Varley, Lincoln, Nebraska, and Shellene Murphy, Bellevue; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; three siblings, Lindsay Sexton and husband, Ron, Garland, Texas, Marveen Phelps and husband, Russell, Madison, Wisconsin, and Marvin Richard Murphy and wife, Paula, Willow Springs, Texas; and nieces, nephew and cousins.

A Celebration of Life: 1:00 P.M., Saturday, February 17, 2018, at Ron and Janice Murphy’s home.
A private inurnment will be held at a later date at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Bennet, Nebraska.
Memorials: Ron Murphy Memorial Fund.
Online obituaries and condolences www.minterfuneralchapels.com
Cremation Arrangements by Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port, Missouri.